activity, the day passed without incident.
21 SEPTEMBER 44
All units initiated training of assault detachments in preparation for the attack on METZ. Our
artillery continued planned harassing fires on the German positions; heavy retaliatory fire was
concentrated in the GRAVELOTTE area. Our patrols, which were able to cross the MOSELLE
River in the 358th area, met uniformly strong outposts.
22 SEPTEMBER 44
The stalemate continued on the entire Corps front.
The Army Commander sat in on a Division conference on "OPERATION THUNDERBOLT".
Preliminary plans were made for the relief of 358th Infantry by Task Force Polk (attached to the
83rd Division). [Page 14]
23 SEPTEMBER 44
No change in the general situation.
90th Reconnaissance Troop was attached to 357th Infantry to fill a gap between the 1st and 2nd
Battalions. 1st Battalion 357th Infantry seized and outposted the town of HARANGE
SILVANGE. An attempted advance of the 1st Battalion 359th Infantry southward on the right
flank of the regiment was stopped abruptly by enemy resistance.
24 SEPTEMBER 44
357th Infantry captured the towns of BRONVAUX and TERNEL. A French detachment
operating in conjunction with the 1st Battalion seized the high ground in the BOIS de L'ABBE in
the left center of the Regimental zone.
Liaison was established with the 83rd Division and plans completed for the relief of 358th
Infantry on the night of 25-26 September.
To the South, the 2nd Battalion 11th Infantry was poised for the assault on FORT DRIANT, the
capture of which was essential to the success of this Division's participation in
"THUNDERBOLT". With DRIANT in our hands, an advance East from GRAVELOTTE could
be vigorously prosecuted.
25 SEPTEMBER 44
359th Infantry shifted the 3rd Battalion to GRAVELOTTE in preparation for the limited
objective attack planned for the 26th.